Work to develop the next phase of Staveley Basin underway

Staveley Basin has begun the next phase of its development with contractors beginning work to build wing walls to support its lock bridge.

We manage the project and have agreed to fund £89,000 towards the scheme with Chesterfield Canal Trust contributing £76,000 in funds and volunteer time.

Ace Developments from Chesterfield has started an eight week contract to build the wing walls which will support the unfinished lock bridge already in place which will carry a road over the canal.

The Staveley Basin project is part of work being completed with the help of volunteers to restore and improve Chesterfield Canal making more of the waterway navigable.

The project has already seen the development of a mooring basin which can house up to 20 large canal boats and 12 smaller crafts.

Councillor Joan Dixon, our Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport said “This latest work on the Staveley Basin project is part of plans to help develop Chesterfield Canal as well as improve the area for visitors and boats. The work of the volunteers helping us to develop the project has been fantastic and we cannot thank them enough.”

Groups who have been involved in helping the project include the Chesterfield Canal Partnership and the Waterway Recovery Group.

Chesterfield Canal Trust which has also been helping since 2012 has raised over £45,000 towards the project through donations.

A group of around 15 volunteers from the trust meet every Sunday to help build the lock at Staveley Basin.

George Bunting, 65, from Brimington has been a member of the trust since 1995 and is currently helping with construction. He said “The main benefits of the work at Staveley Basin will be the boost it gives tourism with people who come in on boats hopefully spending money in Staveley. The thing I most enjoy about volunteering is the camaraderie and the idea that we are achieving something for the local community and leaving something for future generations.”

The official photo being taken.

This was the site in December. The concrete structure is the bridge over the tail of the lock. The area in the foreground had to be cleared and retaining walls built on either side of the bridge.

The diggers started in the last week in March. (Photo by George Bunting)

Having cleared the area, hardcore was laid (Photo by George Bunting) …..

….. so that an initial layer of concrete could be put down. (Photo by George Bunting)

Even whilst the photoshoot at the top of this article was taking place, the steel reinforcement for the apron was being laid.

This continued for several days until a complete lattice had been built up.

On 8th April, the concrete started to arrive.

The concrete arrived in the white wagon and was pumped by the yellow wagon down into the lattice.

You can see here that lots has already been poured.

Half the apron has already been smoothed off. The next pour will be for the wing walls; you can see the upright steelwork where they will go.